you and me in the moonlight

[crosslaced]

Who: You!
What: A year end party MINGLELOG to help everyone recover from the Shit we’ve been through.
When: Forwarddated to Nov 24
Where: Enso E4, close to the ST Temple
Warnings: Mark as necessary, but none expected.

As the end of November draws near…… it’s time for that player plot the mods hinted at in their latest announcement.

Laurent’s Witch Labyrinth! -no, actually, it’s just a party.

[preparation]

All day on the 24th people are hard at work setting up on the golden beaches of Enso. The Storyteller’s Temple can be seen from the site and vice versa; it’s just a short walk away. There’s quite a bit to be done, so every extra pair of hands are welcome!

[the party]

As evening falls, a series of torches light up the party site for the lost; most prominent are the three large campfires spaced out across the beach, offering a variety of gathering spots for those who don’t like the loud partying going on at the other one.

There’s more than enough food to go around. An entire Cariborn is being dug up from the sandy soil way up the beach, having been roasted in the ground. There’s a wide variety spread out on tables… of handwaved origin… maybe they’re the ones left around from 4/20?? It’s probably fine. Herb- baked vegetables, fresh fruits, meat of various types, pizza!! and yes, Muffet’s Magic Blackberry Alcohol abound.

We’ve also got party favors. Amongst them, it seems like..... owo are these sparklers?

Come hang out! It’s a well-deserved break.

[activities]

The children (and adults so-inclined) have some cute party games to have fun with. There’s a simple little ringtoss area set up, with rings that aren’t even proper circles (listen, Laurent tried) and wooden stakes in the ground to be ringed.

Across the wide stretch of sand there's a lot that can be done- want to build some sandcastles? Pick some shells? Fight some crabs? The beach is dotted with doodles in the sand, inviting you to join in.

The biggest attraction is perhaps the petting zoo- well, it’s a cluster of animals just hanging out, but you get the idea. Located far up on the beach and away from the danger of the waves, the petting zoo has three whole Chocobos, two whole Tigerlilies (one of which is clearly guarding the Chocobos), and one whole horse. Sometimes two horses, but the grey wandering one is wearing a plaque that says “I BITE. PET ME CAREFULLY.”

[storyteller?]

Yes, ST-chan is invited! I’m leaving it to them to top-level or tag out at their leisure. Keep an eye out for the bunny god, they’re Coming.

Comments

closed to taako

[catpiper]

She started her Uncle Taako search about an hour or two ago, and had she stayed the course, she would have probably found him right away. But things, and people, catch her eye and that powerful hold on her attention outweighs whatever focus she has. Chocobos, juggling, horses, food, campfires, pizza-it's so much and she has no qualms about hanging around until last call to enjoy every second of it, but she needs to find him. The iStone is a safety net she's trying to ignore since being stealthy is key.

And then she spots him, off in the distance, like some kind of elf beacon in the night. Nice. She slowly, slowly, moves closer, hiding behind people and tables because there's no way he can cheat with his super elf hearing when the party's this lively.

Don't turn around. Don't look at her. Ignore the item she's clutching in her grubby hands. It's safe!! It's fine!!

[ohshitsweetflips]

All the passive perception in the world cannot save Taako now. Ren has learned from some of the best, and if any errant sandy crunch or familiar rustle happens to stand out from the general party din, he gives no real sign of the fact. His ears have a mind of their own, who could say what motivates the occasional flick or swivel? Absolutely nobody.

Taako, a paragon of grace and unconcern, believes himself ready to accept any fate, be it from the hands of god, man, or Ren. Prove him wrong.

[catpiper]

This is it. The stars have aligned and if she were the type to believe in destiny, fate, or in the ability for the universe to come together for a common goal, this would be the point she gave thanks to it all. He doesn't see her. He doesn't hear her. Her stealth rolls are hitting double digits and she can see victory in her sight.

From her crouched position by a table, she slowly stands up-her unblinking eyes on him, ready to pop back down if he turns her way.

And when she sees an opportunity to complete her task, she pulls her hand back and tosses the item in her hand with all her might. Thankfully, it's not a rock or a hunk of pure metal-it's one of the rings from the ring toss game. It soars through the air like the beautiful ring thing it is and she watches with anticipation as it heads towards her target-his head. Or specifically, the top of his hat. That's really just a hard mode stake anyway and it would look nicer there than in the game area.

If he doesn't move away, it's probably going to whack some part of his body.

[ohshitsweetflips]

And whack it does, just off target enough to take down his hat without either threatening the integrity of his skull or obligating him to give out a prize. He blinks after the initial startle, follows the missile's trajectory, more confused than alarmed, which just goes to show how soft island life has made him. So this is happening, huh? Children are throwing things at him like rogue wildlife in the street? Beach. Whatever, this was probably always going to have happened.

"Alright, well, that's on me for not teaching you to throw underhand. Game's probably rigged anyway, good call." Suddenly, Taako understands what he should have been doing with this party all along, but hastily stows that regret, reclaiming his fallen hat and the ring but not his dignity. He'll rig another game another time for sure though. Give it maybe half an hour. "Having fun?"

God help him, he really wants to know, and even hear about it. Ren never disappoints.

[catpiper]

"I can throw under your hand. I'm good at aiming." It's not what he meant and she doesn't care enough to ask for clarification. She could throw under anyone's hand, if they stay still long enough. It's too bad he took the ring away, so she can't show off her pitching prowess. But that's only gonna deter her for Awhile. He better sleep with one eye open and with his hands buried under a blanket.

And when he asks Having fun? that's a problem. Not for her-she has very few issues, but for him because she is having fun and she's gonna spend the next ten minutes detailing every ring tossing, party favor hoarding, dancing, juggling, pizza eating, chocobo petting moment of her night. She's been around, having the best time, because parties are great and just as she's about to ask if he's having a good time, something hits her. With an all too proud expression, she pulls out a bent paper party hat and half piece of crusty pepperoni from the depths of her poncho.

Don't question it. Just take it. It's a gift. She's holding it out like it's some kind of divine relic. "You can have these. You'll have a lot of fun too if you eat this thing and wear this hat."

[ohshitsweetflips]

Oh c'mon, he listened so dutifully, and even meant it, why is he being punished? Why is his life forfeit just for being an invested and caring mentor? He accepts these gifts with carefully concealed reluctance, after a quick scan of his surroundings fails to reveal any potential rescuers. What does he even keep Kravitz around for, isn't questionable pocket food his championed cause now that recreational necromancy got legalized?

"...Thanks." Slowly, resignedly, he dons the hat, despite already having a hat, a perfectly good hat, it's multipurpose, it's rated for party! The pizza he makes eye contact with warily, before stowing that out of sight, with only a slight wince. "I uh, already hit up the pizza actually, so I'm gonna just hang on to this bad boy for the future."

Look, it's the thought that counts, and he can just chuck that into the woods for the wildlife to deal with, and if they become addicted to pizza he'll handle that. "So pizza's a hit, coulda figured that. Good as it is, it's-- This is a pale imitation of what pizza can be. Pizza rolls are-- Listen, you've eaten an impostor. There's a superior food, in terms of hoardability and taste. Guess I gotta invent those now but that's fine, remind me later."

[catpiper]

Later might be later tonight after he's cozy in bed, tucked up next to his boo, and Ren wakes up remembering pizza rolls and her sworn duty to remind him about it. Shame she can't spell well enough to write out a note. He doesn't need sleep anyway. What's darkvision for if he's not up at night to use it? He'll regret his words and it'll be just another day.

"Okay, I'll remind you. We'll roll them together." And since he's accepted her peace offering and put the much smaller hard mode hat on his head, she holds out her hands for the ring. "I'm going to throw that thing again, so turn around. I won't miss this time."